In Week 9 of the **Home Team Challenge**, the free fantasy football game with great prizes on HoustonTexans.com, the winning player will take home a football autographed by Texans tight end Owen Daniels.
Here's my weekly fantasy advice, with a few players I like and a few players I don't.
PRICE IS RIGHT WR Andre Johnson, HOU, 40 points (@ MIN): In his last four games, Johnson has caught 41 passes for 593 yards and two touchdowns. He is leading the league in receiving yards and was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. Johnson is on a tear right now and is showing no signs of slowing down. Minnesota has the 20th-ranked pass defense in the league, giving up 219.4 yards per game.
VALUE PICK RB Michael Turner, ATL, 40 (@ OAK): Through seven games this season, Turner has six touchdowns and 655 rushing yards, which ranks third in the league. Oakland's 26th-ranked run defense is allowing an average of 144.1 yards per game this season. That bodes well for Atlanta's running game and for Turner's prospects of giving you a big-time fantasy performance.
NOT WORTH IT RB Clinton Portis, WAS, 50 (vs. PIT): Portis is having a stellar season and is leading the league in rushing with 944 yards, but Pittsburgh's defense is one of the best in the league. The Steelers have allowed only 71.6 rushing yards per game this season. Portis also has been dealing with an ankle injury and did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday this week. Though he played through his injury a week ago and has an extra day to rest this week for the Redskins' Monday night game, Portis may not find much success considering his opponent.
TE Jason Witten, 29 (@ NYG): Witten is saying that he hopes he can play this week against the Giants despite breaking his ribs in last week's game. Even if he does play, the Cowboys' offense has suffered with Brad Johnson taking the snaps at quarterback for the injured Tony Romo. On top of those factors, the Giants boast the league's fifth-ranked passing defense. Avoid Witten this week.
SLEEPER SPECIAL TE Chris Cooley, WAS, 24 (vs. PIT): Pittsburgh probably will concentrate on stopping the Redskins number one offensive threat this week, Portis. That could make Washington open up its passing attack and give some opportunities to Cooley. For the season, Cooley has 451 yards receiving and one touchdown.
TEXANS FANTASY STARTER OF THE WEEK K Kris Brown, HOU, 25 (@ MIN): Brown has not had a field goal opportunity the past two games against Detroit and Cincinnati, but with the Vikings' defense being a little more threatening than the previous two, look for the Texans to lean on Brown to put some points on the board. Brown is still perfect for the season and should be a big part of the Texans' point production this week.
To register for the Home Team Challenge, click **here**. Make sure to set your lineups by Sun., Nov. 2 at 10:00 a.m.
